CUPANGAWICITUM

(People Who Sleep In The Water)

CUPA NEWS #14

On September 10th, 2014, Robert Smith, Luiseno Chairman pushed for G.C Resolution Number
14-15. This resolution changed the name of the Pala Band of Luiseno Mission Indians of the Pala
Reservation, California (as was listed on the Federal Register) to the Pala Band of Mission Indians. This
means that the Pala Band since 2014 has been a Luiseno Band.

In a letter dated August 24, 2018 from Dentons LLP addressed to the IBIA it states: "PLEASE
TAKE NOTICE that, pursuant to 43 C.F.R. 4.313, Sara Dutschke Setshwaelo and Samuel E. Kohn, attorneys
with the law firm of Denton US LLP, hereby enter their appearance as counsel on behalf of Pala Band of
Mission Indians...". This is strange because the IBIA Appeal is against the BIA for not following proper
procedure and not the Pala Band.

It needs to be asked who is this Pala Band Dentons LLP is representing? Are they representing
the Pala Luiseno? Was the General Council informed? Was an Attorney Contract approved for this
matter in representing the Pala Band in the IBIA appeal? Are they representing the Agua Caliente
Cupeno Warner Ranch Evictees? Is Dentons LLP even supposed to be part of this IBIA Appeal?

Just what is Dentons LLP Representing? Are they representing Robert Smith’s flawed Constitution
that has never been properly adopted? Or are they going to argue that the Constitution is valid? Who
does this serve? Pala’s Executive Committee or the Pala Band? Who is the Pala Band again?

Who requested Dentons LLP get involved and why?

How much has Robert Smith authorized to pay Dentons LLP for legal services? It seems the Pala
Band is going broke according to Luiseno/Cahuilla Treasurer Theresa Nieto. Can the Pala Band even afford
Dentons LLP anymore?

And how can Sarah Dutschke, niece of Pacific Regional Director Amy Dutschke even be allowed to
represent the Pala Band (whatever that may be)? Amy Dutschke is the one who helped enable Robert to
get retroactively approved various version of a Constitution that have no validity.

The People of Pala better wake up and start asking questions before it’s too late. You know, at
this last meeting they requested a review of the finances at the Pala Casino. This was exactly what 11 of
us for several years ago and for that we were banned from ever going to meetings again or from ever
voting again in an election. We have had our very rights taken away from us for life for the very thing
Pala’s Executive Committee is now asking for. How can this be?

If you would like a pdf copy emailed to you contact us at the Pala Store palastore01@gmail.com